Shopping Guide for Best Headphones

Whether you're on the bus, jogging, or relaxing on your sofa, a good pair of headphones is essential for uninterrupted listening pleasure.

But which do you choose? In-ear? On-ear? Around-ear? Bluetooth? Noise-canceling? Even the descriptions can be confusing.

At BestReviews, our job is to bring clarity to the product confusion. Our mission is to help you make buying decisions that most accurately reflect your personal needs and desires.

To do that, we research the market in depth. We test products in our labs, talk to experts, and gather valuable customer feedback. And because independence and honesty are the cornerstones of our reviews, we never accept free manufacturer samples. Rather, we buy the items we test with our own money at the same stores you do.

In the matrix above, you'll find three of our top headphone choices. Each has our unbiased stamp of approval.

For those who would like a detailed look at the parameters we worked with, we've compiled the following comprehensive review. It also contains a useful headphone terminology guide.

Protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL. Use headphones in moderation — never for too long or at excessive volume.

Headphone Types

There are three headphone types:

Earbuds that tuck inside the ears

Ear pad headphones that sit on top of the ears

Full-size headphones that nestle around the ears

These physical descriptions give you a good idea of how different headphones fit, but what are the pros and cons of each type in terms of wearability and day-to-day use?

Perhaps one of the most important decisions to make when purchasing headphones is which type you would feel most comfortable with. Some people love earbuds; others find ear pad headphones to be more comfortable and fashionable. Still, others prefer full-size headphones.

Earbud Pros and Cons

Pros: Earbuds are small, light, “go-anywhere” accessories. They’re particularly good for sporting activities; some have ear-hooks for extra security. They’re good for those who wear glasses and those who wish to wear sunglasses while they listen. Top models offer silicone ear-tips for extra comfort.

Cons: Not everyone likes putting things in their ears. Few earbuds offer the sound quality of other headphone types.

Many of the “negatives” associated with earbuds hinge on their quality. With cheap earbuds, comfort can be an issue, as can durability.

Ear Pad Headphone Pros and Cons

Pros: Ear pad headphones are portable and comfortable. They’re suitable for use during moderate exercise, and they’re often Bluetooth-enabled. What’s more, they’re currently quite fashionable.

Cons: The sound can “bleed” out of ear pad headphones, potentially disturbing people around you.

Lots of people gravitate toward ear pad headphones because they’re both comfortable and fashionable.

Full-Size Headphone Pros and Cons

Pros: With full-size headphones, the earpiece surrounds your ear, cutting out extraneous sound and allowing you to concentrate on your music or audio book. They’re usually very comfortable, and wireless versions allow some mobility.

Cons: Full-size headphones are large, and some people find that their portability is compromised because of it. When you wear them, your movement may be restricted by a cable. And with prolonged use, your ears may get hot.

Not all full-size headphones are wireless; some must be plugged in. Reduced mobility is a negative and the reason why lots of people these days prefer ear pad headphones over full-size headphones.

Headphone Sound Quality

If you're looking for headphones to wear while exercising, good sound quality is nice to have, but it's probably not your sole consideration. On the other hand, if listening to your music in splendid isolation is what gives you a buzz, you'll likely want the best sound reproduction possible.

Finding the perfect headphones means understanding the various sound-related features, so let’s look at those in a bit more detail.

Noise Cancellation Technology

Whether it's kids playing in the next room, people on the bus, or machines in the factory where you work, noises around you can disrupt your listening.

Noise cancellation is a basic solution to the problem of external interference. Ear buds and full-size, around-ear headphones can be quite good at noise cancellation. Cheap ear pad headphones, on the other hand, often fall down on the job.

Here’s how noise cancellation technology works. Microphones in the earpiece pick up sound, measure it, then play it back. You'd think that would make for more noise, not less. But because this new sound is replayed 180 degrees out of phase with the original sound wave, the two signals actually cancel each other out.

The down side to noise cancellation technology, according to some audiophiles, can be a muffling of the sound. As a result, many high-end headphones don't use it. Instead, they rely on superior padding and insulation materials to filter out unwanted noise.

Wired vs. Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones seem like a great idea. After all, who doesn’t want to enjoy superior sound and freedom of movement at the same time?

But there are two problems with wireless headphones. First, both RF (radio frequency) and Bluetooth require batteries, so there's extra bulk and some inconvenience. Second, and perhaps more important, there's the potential for interference from other wireless devices. These devices operate in either the 900MHz or 2.4GHz spectrums. The latter is less common and therefore less prone to the effect.

Wireless headphones sound like a great idea, and for some listeners, they are a perfect choice. But buyers should realize that there is always the potential for interference from other devices with wireless technology.

Sound Reproduction Terms

When you're wearing earbuds or headphones, there are a few technical terms to describe factors that impact sound quality. Here are a few of the most important terms to know.

Impedance: Impedance is a complicated term, but for our purposes, it's a kind of resistance in the wire. Higher impedance means you need more power to get the sound signal from the audio device to the earpiece.

For example, a smartphone produces a low power output, so you would need to pair it with low-impedance earbuds or headphones (typically 25 to 50 ohms). Otherwise, the sound couldn’t get through. A home sound system that plugs into the wall produces far more power than a smartphone. In this case, headphones in the 250- to 500-ohm impedance range could be used.

Sensitivity or Sound Pressure Level: Both of these terms relate to how efficiently an electrical signal is converted into sound. The important figure to look for is dB SPL/mW (decibels of sound pressure level per milliwatt). Expect somewhere between 80 and 120 dB SPL/mW.

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): When things get loud, you'll be dealing with total harmonic distortion. In earbuds and headphones, sound is produced by the vibration of a diaphragm inside the driver. As the volume goes up, the diaphragm vibrates faster and faster. Some can't cope, and you end up with sound distortion.

Frequency Response: Frequency response doesn't really impact sound quality, but it's worth mentioning. It's how we measure the range of frequencies a device can reproduce. It's usually from a low of 20Hz (the bass end) to a high of around 20,000Hz (the treble end). Coincidentally, that's the range most people can hear.

Some audiophiles don’t believe in noise cancellation technology; they claim it muffles the sound. Instead, they seek headphones with extra-thick padding and high-quality insulation materials.

Headphone Special Features

In addition to listening to music and audiobooks, many headphones can be used with your mobile phone — or to record your voice on other devices — thanks to an in-line microphone.

Ear pad and full-size headphones can be quite bulky, but folding models exist that will appeal to frequent travelers. If that's you, consider buying a protective case, as well.

Some devices have inline or on-earpiece controllers that allow you to make adjustments to volume or balance without leaving your armchair.

Apps are available that offer simplified control when using your earbuds or headphones with multiple audio devices.

Convenient USB chargers are available with some models.

Waterproof earbuds exist, but be careful. Even if a pair of earbuds is “shower-proof,” you shouldn’t go swimming in them.

How Much Do Headphones Cost?

You could buy a cheap pair of earbuds for $5. But if you did, you'd probably be buying another pair within the month. In our opinion, the same holds true for a $10 pair of headphones.

That said, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good pair of headphones. For $30, you can buy a perfectly reasonable pair of earbuds or headphones.

Above that, it's a question of making a wish list and comparing prices. At the top end of the market, you could pay over $200 for earbuds and over $600 for headphones. For more information on our favorites, see the matrix above and click on the links provided.

If sound quality is your top goal and you’re not concerned about mobility, consider a good pair of full-size headphones.

Headphone FAQ

Q. Do headphones last longer than earbuds?
A. With most kinds of audio equipment, you get what you pay for. Cheap earbuds wear out quickly. Usually, the wiring connections are the first to go. On the other hand, some high-end earbuds render better sound reproduction than a cheap pair of headphones and would probably outlast them.

Q. I've got earbuds in each ear, but I think I'm only getting mono sound.
A. If you bought very cheap earbuds, it could be. Just because you've got something to go in each ear doesn't guarantee you've got stereo, so check before you buy!

Q. Bluetooth is supposed to have a range of 32 feet, but my headphones lose signal as I move around my house.
A. The “32 feet” figure is an uninterrupted range – like if you were outside on a calm day. All kinds of things can interfere with the signal, particularly walls. If you want reception over a greater distance, you need RF headphones — and probably a separate RF transmitter.

Q. A friend said I couldn't wear headphones while driving. Is that true?
A. The law varies from state to state. In some states, you can't wear headphones at all while driving. In others, one ear must remain open to listen for potential danger. The safest course is to not use your headphones until you arrive at your destination.